Jounce bumper assemblies as well as gas spring assemblies including same

ABSTRACT

A jounce bumper assembly dimensioned for securement on or along an associated end member of an associated gas spring assembly. The jounce bumper assembly includes a bumper mount dimensioned for securement to the associated end member. A jounce bumper supported on the bumper mount for axial displacement therealong. A biasing element is disposed peripherally about the bumper mount and positioned axially between the jounce bumper and the associated end member. The biasing element has a fully-compressed, solid height that is operative to maintain the jounce bumper assembly in axially-spaced relation to the associated end member under a full jounce load condition. Gas spring assemblies including such a jounce bumper assembly, and suspension systems including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also included.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter of the present disclosure broadly relates to the artof gas spring devices and, more particularly, to progressive spring ratejounce bumper assemblies that are operative to provide a first springrate during an initial range of deflection and at least a second,increased spring rate upon displacement beyond the initial range ofdeflection. Gas spring assemblies including such jounce bumperassemblies as well as suspension systems that include one or more ofsuch gas spring assemblies are also included.

The subject matter of the present disclosure may find particularapplication and use in conjunction with components for wheeled vehicles,and will be shown and described herein with reference thereto. However,it is to be appreciated that the subject matter of the presentdisclosure is also amenable to use in other applications andenvironments, and that the specific uses shown and described herein aremerely exemplary. For example, the subject matter of the presentdisclosure could be used in connection with gas spring assemblies and/orsuspension systems of non-wheeled vehicles, support structures, heightadjusting systems and actuators associated with industrial machinery,components thereof and/or other such equipment. Accordingly, the subjectmatter of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to useassociated with gas spring suspension systems of wheeled vehicles.

Wheeled motor vehicles of most types and kinds include a sprung mass,such as a body or chassis, for example, and an unsprung mass, such astwo or more axles or other wheel-engaging members, for example, with asuspension system disposed therebetween. Typically, a suspension systemwill include a plurality of spring devices as well as a plurality ofdamping devices that together permit the sprung and unsprung masses ofthe vehicle to move in a somewhat controlled manner relative to oneanother. Movement of the sprung and unsprung masses toward one anotheris normally referred to in the art as jounce motion while movement ofthe sprung and unsprung masses away from one another is commonlyreferred to in the art as rebound motion.

Generally, the range of motion of a suspension system extends between afirst or fully compressed condition and a second or fully extendedcondition. To eliminate contact between opposing portions of the sprungand unsprung masses, contact between opposing portions of components ofthe suspension system or contact between any combination thereof, jouncebumpers are commonly installed on one or more portions of the vehicle toprevent such opposing portions from directly impacting one another.Thus, during jounce motion of the suspension system, an opposingcomponent will contact the jounce bumper rather than impactingcomponents on or near which the jounce bumper is mounted.

Jounce bumpers of a variety of types, kinds and configurations have beendeveloped and are commonly used. Though the size and shape of jouncebumpers vary widely, known jounce bumpers can generally be grouped intotwo categories, namely, compliant jounce bumpers and rigid jouncebumpers. The former are commonly formed from materials capable ofrelatively high deflections under load, and are often formed from rubberor elastomeric foam compounds.

Generally, compliant jounce bumpers act to cushion or otherwise softenthe impact that would otherwise be associated with a sudden movementtoward a full jounce condition. As such, compliant jounce bumpers arewell suited for use in relatively light duty applications, such as usein the suspension systems of passenger vehicles and light trucks, forexample, where ride comfort is a more significant factor. Additionally,the materials from which such compliant jounce bumpers are formed isnormally capable of withstanding at least some amount of lateraldeflection, such as would be due to a laterally-applied load, withoutundergoing permanent deformation or another undesirable alteration ofits performance characteristics. Furthermore, suspension systems used inpassenger and other light-duty applications typically permit arelatively small or otherwise reduced amount of lateral displacement,which is normally well within the capability of known compliant jouncebumpers to withstand.

Unfortunately, the elastomeric materials that result in compliant jouncebumpers being so well suited for high-comfort, light-duty applicationshave generally been found to be poorly suited for high-load and/orheavy-duty applications. One exemplary reason for such a lack ofsuitability for use in heavy-duty applications relates to theelastomeric nature of the material itself. More specifically, for agiven compliant jounce bumper to have a suitable compressed height(i.e., a compressed height that will be sufficient to inhibit contactbetween opposing suspension components under a heavy load), thecorresponding free height of such a given compliant jounce bumper wouldlikely be great enough to adversely affect the overall travel or otherperformance characteristics of the suspension system. Said differently,the elastomeric material would have to compress so much to support thehigh-load condition that the unloaded height of the material couldresult in the compliant jounce bumper undesirably interfering with theperformance of the suspension system or components thereof.

Oppositely, rigid jounce bumpers are commonly formed from materials thatdeflect a relatively small amount under load, such as high strengthand/or fiber reinforced plastic materials, for example. Rigid jouncebumpers are not normally considered to be well suited for use in lightduty applications (e.g., passenger vehicle applications) because of theminimal deflection and corresponding ride harshness that is associatedwith the use of such jounce bumpers. However, rigid jounce bumpers arewell suited for heavy duty applications, such as in truck,tractor-trailer and other over-the-road vehicle applications, forexample, where it is desirable to provide a sacrificial component thatcan prevent impacts between more permanent and/or expensive components.Additionally, it is often desirable to lower trucks, trailers or othervehicle bodies onto the jounce bumpers to provide a solid foundation forloading and/or unloading of the vehicle body.

Notwithstanding the common use and overall success of known jouncebumper constructions as well as gas spring assemblies that utilize thesame, it is believed desirable to develop jounce bumper assemblies thatare operative to provide a combination of performance characteristicsthat are often otherwise associated with either rigid or compliantjounce bumpers but typically unavailable in both of such components andthereby providing improved performance and/or other characteristics,and/or overcoming the foregoing and/or other disadvantages of knownconstructions, and/or otherwise advancing the art of gas spring devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One example of a jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the subjectmatter of the present disclosure can be dimensioned for securement on oralong an associated end member of an associated gas spring assembly. Thejounce bumper assembly can include a bumper mount dimensioned forsecurement to the associated end member. A jounce bumper can besupported on the bumper mount for axial displacement therealong. Abiasing element can be disposed peripherally about the bumper mount andpositioned axially between the jounce bumper and the associated endmember. The biasing element can have a fully-compressed, solid heightthat is operative to maintain the jounce bumper assembly inaxially-spaced relation to the associated end member under a full jounceload condition.

One example of a gas spring assembly in accordance with the subjectmatter of the present disclosure can include a flexible spring member, afirst end member, a second end member and a jounce bumper assembly. Theflexible spring member can have a longitudinal axis and can include aflexible wall extending peripherally about the longitudinal axis. Theflexible spring member can extend longitudinally between opposing firstand second ends and can at least partially define a spring chambertherebetween. The first end member can be secured across the first endof the flexible spring member such that a substantially fluid-tight sealis formed therebetween, and the second end member can be secured acrossthe second end of the flexible spring member such that a substantiallyfluid-tight seal is formed therebetween. The jounce bumper assembly canbe disposed within the spring chamber and can be secured to one of thefirst and second end members such that the jounce bumper is dimensionedto abuttingly engage the other of the first and second end membersduring use of the gas spring assembly under jounce load conditions. Thejounce bumper assembly can include a bumper mount dimensioned forsecurement to the one of the first and second end members and a jouncebumper supported on the bumper mount for axial displacement therealong.The jounce bumper assembly can also include a biasing element disposedperipherally about the bumper mount and positioned axially between thejounce bumper and the one of the first and second end members. Thebiasing element can have a fully-compressed, solid height that isoperative to maintain the jounce bumper assembly in axially-spacedrelation to the one of the first and second end members under a fulljounce load condition.

Another example of a gas spring assembly in accordance with the subjectmatter of the present disclosure can include a flexible spring memberhaving a longitudinal axis and including a flexible wall extendingperipherally about the longitudinal axis. The flexible spring member canextend longitudinally between opposing first and second ends and can atleast partially defining a spring chamber therebetween. A first endmember can be secured across the first end of the flexible spring membersuch that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween. Asecond end member can be secured across the second end of the flexiblespring member such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formedtherebetween. A jounce bumper assembly can be disposed within the springchamber and can be secured to one of the first and second end memberssuch that the jounce bumper is dimensioned to abuttingly engage theother of the first and second end members during use of the gas springassembly under jounce load conditions. The jounce bumper assembly caninclude a bumper mount secured to the one of the first and second endmembers. The bumper mount can extend axially between a proximal end anda distal end and can have an outer cross-sectional dimension. The bumpermount can include a bumper retaining feature disposed therealong betweenthe proximal and distal ends. The bumper retaining feature can extendradially into the bumper mount such that the bumper retaining featurehas a retaining feature cross-sectional dimension that is less than theouter cross-sectional dimension of the bumper mount with the bumperretaining feature having a length that is at least 75 percent of theretaining feature cross-sectional dimension. A jounce bumper can besupported on the bumper mount for axial displacement therealong. Thejounce bumper can include an outer side wall portion and an inner sidewall portion disposed radially inward of the outer side wall portionthat at least partially defines a passage into the jounce bumper. Thejounce bumper can also include an end surface oriented in facingrelation to the one of the first and second end members. A plurality ofretaining projections can extend radially inward into the passage fromalong the inner side wall portion with the plurality of retainingprojections extending into the bumper retaining feature and operativelyengaging the bumper mount in a first radially-biased condition such thatthe jounce bumper is displaceable toward the one of the first and secondend members while the plurality of retaining projections remain inapproximately the first radially-biased condition during displacementalong the length of the bumper retaining feature. A biasing element canbe disposed peripherally about the bumper mount and positioned axiallybetween the jounce bumper and the one of the first and second endmembers. The biasing element can have a fully-compressed, solid heightthat is operative to maintain the jounce bumper assembly inaxially-spaced relation to the one of the first and second end membersunder a full jounce load condition.

One example of a suspension system in accordance with the subject matterof the present disclosure can include a pressurized gas system thatincludes a pressurized gas source and a control device. The suspensionsystem can also include at least one gas spring assembly according toeither one of the two foregoing paragraphs. The at least one gas sprigassembly can be disposed in fluid communication with the pressurized gassource through the control device such that pressurized gas can beselectively transferred into and out of the spring chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one example of a suspensionsystem that includes a plurality of gas spring assemblies in accordancewith the subject matter of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of one example of a gas spring assemblyin accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the gas spring assembly shownin FIG. 2 taken from along line 3-3 therein illustrating one example ofa jounce bumper assembly in accordance with the subject matter of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the exemplary jouncebumper assembly in FIGS. 2 and 3 identified as Detail 4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates the exemplary jounce bumper assembly shown in FIGS. 3and 4 undergoing a jounce load condition.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the jounce bumperassembly shown in FIGS. 3-5 illustrating an alternate construction of abumper mount.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a jounce bumper assembly inaccordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates still another example of a jounce bumper assembly inaccordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further example of a jounce bumper assembly inaccordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, it is to be understood that the showingsare for purposes of illustrating examples of the subject matter of thepresent disclosure and are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, itwill be appreciated that the drawings are not to scale and that portionsof certain features and/or elements may be exaggerated for purposes ofclarity and/or ease of understanding.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a suspension system 100 disposedbetween a sprung mass, such as an associated vehicle body BDY, forexample, and an unsprung mass, such as an associated wheel WHL or anassociated axle AXL, for example, of an associated vehicle VHC. It willbe appreciated that any one or more of the components of the suspensionsystem can be operatively connected between the sprung and unsprungmasses of the associated vehicle in any suitable manner. Additionally,it will be appreciated that such a suspension system of the vehicle can,optionally, include a plurality of damping members, such as dampers DMP,for example, and that any such damping members can also be operativelyconnected between the sprung and unsprung masses of the associatedvehicle in any suitable manner.

The suspension system can also include a plurality of gas springassemblies supported between the sprung and unsprung masses of theassociated vehicle. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, suspensionsystem 100 includes four gas spring assemblies 102, one of which isdisposed toward each corner of the associated vehicle adjacent acorresponding wheel WHL. However, it will be appreciated that any othersuitable number of gas spring assemblies could alternately be used inany other configuration or arrangement. As shown in FIG. 1, gas springassemblies 102 are supported between axles AXL and body BDY ofassociated vehicle VHC. Additionally, it will be recognized that the gasspring assemblies shown and described in FIG. 1 (e.g., gas springassemblies 102) are illustrated as being of a rolling lobe-typeconstruction. It is to be understood, however, that gas springassemblies of other types, kinds and/or constructions could alternatelybe used.

Suspension system 100 also includes a pressurized gas system 104operatively associated with the gas spring assemblies for selectivelysupplying pressurized gas (e.g., air) thereto and selectivelytransferring pressurized gas therefrom. In the exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 1, pressurized gas system 104 includes a pressurized gassource, such as a compressor 106, for example, for generatingpressurized air or other gases. A control device, such as a valveassembly 108, for example, is shown as being in communication withcompressor 106 and can be of any suitable configuration or arrangement.In the exemplary embodiment shown, valve assembly 108 includes a valveblock 110 with a plurality of valves 112 supported thereon. Valveassembly 108 can also optionally include a suitable exhaust, such as amuffler 114, for example, for venting pressurized gas from the system.Optionally, pressurized gas system 104 can also include a reservoir 116in fluid communication with the compressor and/or valve assembly 108 andsuitable for storing pressurized gas, such as storing pressurized gas ata pressure level greater than atmospheric pressure for an extendedperiod of time (e.g., minutes, hours, days, weeks or months).

Valve assembly 108 can be in fluid communication with gas springassemblies 102 in any suitable manner, such as through suitable gastransfer lines 118, for example. As such, pressurized gas can beselectively transferred into and/or out of the gas spring assembliesthrough valve assembly 108 by selectively operating valves 112, such asto alter or maintain vehicle height at one or more corners of thevehicle, for example.

Suspension system 100 can also include a control system 120 that iscapable of communication with any one or more systems and/or components(not shown) of vehicle VHC and/or suspension system 100, such as forselective operation and/or control thereof. Control system 120 caninclude a controller or electronic control unit (ECU) 122communicatively coupled with compressor 106 and/or valve assembly 108,such as through a conductor or lead 124, for example, for selectiveoperation and control thereof, which can include supplying andexhausting pressurized gas to and/or from gas spring assemblies 102.Controller 122 can be of any suitable type, kind and/or configuration.

Control system 120 can also, optionally, include one or more height (ordistance) sensing devices 126, such as, for example, may be operativelyassociated with the gas spring assemblies and capable of outputting orotherwise generating data, signals and/or other communications having arelation to a height of the gas spring assemblies or a distance betweenother components of the vehicle. Height sensing devices 126 can be incommunication with ECU 122, which can receive the height or distancesignals therefrom. The height sensing devices can be in communicationwith ECU 122 in any suitable manner, such as through conductors or leads128, for example. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the heightsensing devices can be of any suitable type, kind and/or construction.

One example of a gas spring assembly 200 in accordance with the subjectmatter of the present disclosure, such as may be suitable for use as oneof gas spring assemblies 102 in FIG. 1, for example, is shown in FIGS.2-5 as having a longitudinally-extending axis AX (FIG. 3) and caninclude one or more end members, such as, for example, an end member 202and an end member 204 that is spaced longitudinally from end member 202.A flexible spring member 206 can extend peripherally around axis AX andcan be secured between the end members in a substantially fluid-tightmanner such that a spring chamber 208 (FIG. 3) is at least partiallydefined therebetween.

Gas spring assembly 200 can be disposed between associated sprung andunsprung masses of an associated vehicle in any suitable manner. Forexample, one end member can be operatively connected to the associatedsprung mass with the other end member disposed toward and operativelyconnected to the associated unsprung mass. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, for example, end member 202 is secured along a first orupper structural component USC, such as associated vehicle body BDY inFIG. 1, for example, and can be secured thereon in any suitable manner.For example, one or more securement devices, such as mounting studs 210,for example, can be included along end member 202. In some cases, theone or more securement devices (e.g., mounting studs 210) can projectoutwardly from end member 202 and can be secured thereon in a suitablemanner, such as, for example, by way of a flowed-material joint (notshown) or a press-fit connection (not identified). Additionally, suchone or more securement devices can extend through mounting holes HLS inupper structural component USC and receive one or more threaded nuts 212or other securement devices, for example. As an alternative to one ormore of mounting studs 210, one or more threaded passages (e.g., blindpassages and/or through passages) could be used in conjunction with acorresponding number of one or more threaded fasteners.

Additionally, a fluid communication port, such as a transfer passage 214(FIG. 3), for example, can optionally be provided to permit fluidcommunication with spring chamber 208, such as may be used fortransferring pressurized gas into and/or out of the spring chamber, forexample. In the exemplary embodiment shown, transfer passage 214 extendsthrough at least one of mounting studs 210 and is in fluid communicationwith spring chamber 208. It will be appreciated, however, that any othersuitable fluid communication arrangement could alternately be used.

End member 204 can be secured along a second or lower structuralcomponent LSC, such as an axle AXL in FIG. 1, for example, in anysuitable manner. As one example, lower structural component LSC couldinclude one or more mounting holes HLS extending therethrough. In suchcase, a mounting stud 216 could be operatively connected to end member204 and/or another component of the gas spring assembly, and couldextend through one of mounting holes HLS, such as to receive acorresponding threaded nut 218, for example.

It will be appreciated that the one or more end members can be of anysuitable type, kind, construction and/or configuration, and can beoperatively connected or otherwise secured to the flexible wall in anysuitable manner. In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,for example, end member 202 is of a type commonly referred to as a beadplate that is secured to a first end 220 of flexible spring member 206,such as by crimping or otherwise deforming an outer peripheral portion222 of end member 202 to form a substantially fluid-tight, crimped-edgeconnection with end 220 of flexible spring member 206.

End member 204 is shown in the exemplary arrangement in FIGS. 2-5 asbeing of a type commonly referred to as a piston (or a roll-off piston)that has an outer surface 224 that abuttingly engages flexible springmember 206 such that a rolling lobe 226 is formed therealong. As gasspring assembly 200 is displaced between extended and collapsedconditions, rolling lobe 226 can be displaced along outer surface 224 ina conventional manner.

As identified in FIG. 3, end member 204 extends generally between afirst or upper end 228 and a second or lower end 230. End member 204 canbe formed from any suitable material or combination of materials, andcan include any suitable number of one or more components. For example,the end member could be formed from two or more metal parts that aresecured together, such as by way of one or more securement devicesand/or flowed-material joints, for example. As another example, endmember 204 could be at least partially formed from a polymeric material,and can, optionally and in some cases, be molded or otherwise formed asa single, unitary body that includes one or more walls and/or wallportions. In the arrangement in FIGS. 2-5, for example, end member 204is shown as including an outer side wall (or side wall portion) 232 thatextends peripherally about axis AX and generally longitudinally betweenends 228 and 230. Outer side wall portion 232 can at least partiallydefine or otherwise include at least a portion of outer surface 224.

End member 204 can also include a base wall (or wall portion) 234 thatextends generally transverse to axis AX and can at least partially forma closed end of the end member. Base wall portion 234 can include aninner edge (not numbered) that at least partially defines a hole oropening (not numbered) that can be dimensioned to permit a securementdevice, such as mounting stud 216, for example, to extend therethrough.In some cases, base wall portion 234 can be directly connected to orotherwise extend directly from the outer side wall portion. In othercases, end member 204 can include one or more walls or wall portionsdisposed between and operatively connecting the outer side wall portionand the base wall portion. For example, end member 204 can include aninner side wall portion 236 that extends in a generally axial directionfrom along base wall portion 234. Together with the base wall portion,the inner side wall portion can at least partially define a recess 238extending into end member 204 and dimensioned to receive at least aportion of an associated end closure, such as will be describedhereinafter.

End member 204 can also include end walls (or end wall portions) 240and/or 242 that extend between inner and outer side wall portions 236and 232. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 3-5, end wall portions 240and 242 have a generally linear cross-sectional shape and are disposedat different acute angles relative to axis AX such that the end of wallportions respectively form end surfaces 244 and 246 that have differentshapes or profiles. It will be appreciated, however, that wall portionshaving other cross-sectional shapes and/or configurations couldalternately be used. As a further example, end member 204 can include ashoulder wall (or shoulder wall portion) 248 that has a curvedcross-sectional shape and transitions between outer side wall portion232 and one or more of end wall portion 242, end wall portion 240, innerside wall portion 236 and/or base wall portion 234.

In some cases, end member 204 can include one or more additional wallsor wall portions, such as may provide added structure, support and/orrigidity to the end member. For example, end member 204 can include acentral support wall (or wall portion) 250 extending peripherally aboutaxis AX and axially from along base wall portion 234 in a directiontoward end 230. End member 204 can include an outer cavity 252 formedbetween outer side wall portion 232 and central support wall portion 250that extends into the end member from along end 230. End member 204 canalso, optionally, include a plurality of support walls (or support wallportions) 254 disposed in peripherally-spaced relation to one anotherabout axis AX. The plurality of support walls can separate outer cavity252 into a plurality of chambers (not shown). End member 204 can alsoinclude a central cavity 252C that is at least partially defined bycentral support wall 250 and can be dimensioned to receive one or moresecurement features, such as mounting stud 216 and/or a threaded nut 256received therealong, for example.

Flexible spring member 206 can include a flexible wall 258 that canextend between first end 220 and a second end 260. It will beappreciated that flexible spring member 206 and flexible wall 258thereof can be formed in any suitable manner and from any suitablematerial or combination of materials, such as by using one or morefilament-reinforced, elastomeric plies or layers and/or one or moreun-reinforced, elastomeric plies or layers, for example. Typically, oneor more filament-reinforced, elastomeric plies and one or moreun-reinforced, elastomeric plies will be used together and formed from acommon elastomeric material, such as a synthetic rubber, a naturalrubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. In other cases, however, acombination of two or more different materials, two or more compounds ofsimilar materials, or two or more grades of the same material could beused.

It will be appreciated that end members 202 and 204 can be operativelyconnected to first and second ends 220 and 260 in any suitable manner.As such, flexible spring member 206 and flexible wall 258 thereof caninclude any suitable combination of one or more features on or along thefirst and/or second ends that may be suitable for facilitating suchoperative connections. As one example, flexible spring member 206 caninclude a mounting bead 262 disposed along end 220. Mounting bead 262can extend peripherally around end 220 and can, optionally, include abead reinforcement element 264, such as an endless, annular wire, forexample. During assembly, outer peripheral portion 222 of the end membercan be controllably deformed (e.g., crimped, swaged, pressed) intoabutting engagement with flexible wall 206 such that mounting bead 262is at least partially captured by the outer peripheral portion to form acrimped-edge connection with end member 202.

As another example, flexible spring member 206 can include a mountingbead 266 disposed along end 260. Mounting bead 266 can extendperipherally around end 260 and can, optionally, include a beadreinforcement element 268, such as an endless, annular wire, forexample. In a preferred arrangement, flexible spring member 206 at leastpartially defines an opening (not numbered) along end 260 that isdimensioned to receivingly engage a surface, wall and/or wall portion ofan end closure 270 such that a substantially fluid-tight connection canbe formed with the end closure in a suitable manner, such as by way of apermanent connection or joint (i.e., inseparable without damage,destruction or material alteration of at least one of the componentparts) between the second end of the flexible spring member and the endclosure.

In this exemplary manner, second end 260 of flexible spring member 206can be secured on or along upper end 228 of end member 204 using endclosure 270. It will be appreciated that the end closure can be securedon or along end member 204 in any suitable manner. In the exemplaryembodiment shown, a bumper mount or bumper mounting nut 272 isthreadably secured on mounting stud 216 and engages end closure 270. Bysecuring mounting stud 216 on end member 204, such as by using threadednut 256, for example, the end closure can be drawn tight to upper end228 to thereby secure end closure 270 on or along end member 204. It isto be understood, however, that the arrangement shown and described ismerely exemplary and that any other suitable construction and/orconfiguration can alternately be used.

A jounce bumper assembly 274 in accordance with the subject matter ofthe present disclosure can be supported within spring chamber 208, suchas to inhibit direct contact between end members 202 and 204, forexample. It will be appreciated that the jounce bumper assembly can besupported on or along an end member in any suitable manner. For example,jounce bumper assembly 274 is shown as being operatively disposed alongend member 204 and operatively secured therealong through engagementwith bumper mounting nut 272. In a preferred arrangement, bumpermounting nut 272 can include a proximal end (not numbered) secured on oralong end closure 270 in a substantially fluid-tight manner, such as byway of a flowed material joint 276, for example. Bumper mounting nut 272can extend from the proximal end toward a distal end 278 disposed inspaced relation to the end closure 270.

Bumper mounting nut 272 can include one or more outer shaft-likesections, such as, for example, sections 280A and 280B that arerespectively shown as being disposed toward the distal and proximal endsof the bumper mounting nut. Bumper mounting nut 272 can also include oneor more bumper retaining features disposed therealong between the distaland proximal ends. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, bumper mounting nut caninclude an outer cross-sectional dimension OCD disposed along one ormore of sections 280A and/or 280B. The one or more bumper retainingfeatures can extend radially inward into the bumper mounting nut to atleast partially define a retaining-feature cross-sectional dimension RFDdisposed axially between sections 280A and 280B that is less than outercross-sectional dimension OCD. In some cases, bumper mounting nut 272can include a bumper retaining feature 282A having a size, shape andconfiguration of an annular recess or groove that extends radiallyinward into the bumper mounting nut adjacent distal end 278, such as isshown in FIGS. 3-5, for example. In such an arrangement, bumperretaining feature 282A can have a conventional cross-sectional profileor shape with a retaining feature length RFL1 that is approximately 50percent or less of retaining-feature cross-sectional dimension RFD.

In other cases, bumper mounting nut 272 can include a bumper retainingfeature 282B, such as is shown in FIG. 6, for example. Bumper retainingfeature 282B can have a size, shape and configuration of an elongatedshaft section with a retaining feature length RFL2 that is approximately75 percent or greater than retaining-feature cross-sectional dimensionRFD. In some cases, retaining feature length RFL2 can be approximately125 percent or greater than retaining-feature cross-sectional dimensionRFD. The elongated shaft section of bumper retaining feature 282B canhave an approximately cylindrical outer surface (not numbered) thatextends in a continuous or discontinuous manner along a majority ofretaining feature length RFL2. Bumper retaining feature 282B isrepresented in dashed lines in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7-9 that could,optionally, be used as an alternate construction to retaining feature282A.

Jounce bumper assembly 274 can include a jounce bumper 284 that includesan outer surface portion 286, an inner surface portion 288 that at leastpartially defines an inner passage 290 extending through the jouncebumper between a proximal end 292 and a distal end 294. Jounce bumper284 can also include a distal surface portion 296 disposed along distalend 294 that is dimensioned for abutting engagement with an opposing endmember or other structure, and a base surface portion 298 that isdisposed along proximal end 292 in facing relation to end closure 270. Aplurality of retaining projections 300 can extend axially and radiallyinward, such as from along proximal end 292, and axially towardprojection ends 302 that are dimensioned to abuttingly engage a bumperretaining feature, such as one of features 282A and 282B, for example,of bumper mounting nut 272 to thereby retain the jounce bumper assemblyon or along the bumper mounting nut. In some cases, retainingprojections 300 can take the form of individual elements that aredisposed in spaced relation to one another about axis AX and that arebiased radially inward. In this manner, the plurality of retainingprojections can operatively engage the bumper retaining feature (e.g.,one of features 282A and 282B) and, thus, can be operative to inhibitdisplacement of jounce bumper 284 in a direction away from end closure270 beyond an extended position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In some cases,such a configuration will permit jounce bumper 284 to be displaced alongshaft-like sections 280 of the bumper mounting nut in a direction towardend closure 270, such as may result from the jounce bumper assemblyexperiencing a jounce load condition, as is represented in FIG. 5 byarrows JLD, for example. In cases in which bumper retaining feature 282Bis included, jounce bumper 284 can be displaced axially along bumpermounting nut 272 while beneficially allowing retaining projections 300to remain in an inwardly biased position. Whereas, the use of bumperretaining feature 282A can result in retaining projections 300 beingdeflected outward as jounce bumper 284 is displace axially toward endclosure 270, such as is shown in FIG. 5, for example.

Jounce bumper assembly 274 can also include one or more biasing elementsdisposed between end closure 270 and jounce bumper 284 that areoperative to bias or otherwise urge the jounce bumper in a directionaway from the end closure. In such a construction, the one or morebiasing elements can displace jounce bumper 284 from a compressedposition shown in FIG. 5 toward the extended position shown in FIGS. 3and 4 upon abatement of the jounce load condition represented by arrowsJLD. In such case, the jounce bumper can travel axially along bumpermounting nut 272 until retaining projections 300 engage either bumperretaining feature 282A or a distal end (not numbered) of bumperretaining feature 282B thereby inhibiting further axial travel of jouncebumper 284 along the bumper mounting nut in the axial direction awayfrom end closure 270.

It will be appreciated that the one or more biasing elements can beoperatively engaged with the jounce bumper and/or the end closure in anysuitable manner. Additionally, in some cases, the one or more biasingelements can be configured, constructed and/or otherwise arranged tohave sufficient rigidity and column strength to be self-supporting. Insome cases, however, one or more features and/or elements can beincluded that operatively engage the one or more biasing elements with,on and/or along end closure 270, bumper mounting nut 272 and/or jouncebumper 284. As one example, a biasing element 304 is shown in FIGS. 3-6as being disposed between end closure 270 and jounce bumper 284. In somecases, the biasing element can be disposed in abutting engagement withthe end closure and/or the jounce bumper, such as is shown in FIGS. 7-9,for example. In other cases, however, one or more biasing elementretainers can be included, such as are shown in FIGS. 3-6, for example.As shown therein, a retainer 306 can be disposed between biasing element304 and end closure 270. Additionally, or in the alternative, a retainer308 can be disposed between biasing element 304 and base surface portion298 of jounce bumper 284. In some cases, one or more of retainers 306and/or 308, if included, can optionally include an inner guide wallportion 310 that extends axially along a portion of bumper mounting nut272, such as along one or more of outer shaft-like sections 280A and280B and/or along an elongated shaft section of bumper retaining feature282B, for example.

An alternate arrangement of jounce bumper assembly 274 is shown in FIG.7 in which jounce bumper 284 includes an annular recess or groove 312formed along outer surface portion 286 and base surface portion 298 ofjounce bumper 284 along proximal end 292 thereof. In such anarrangement, biasing element 304 can be dimensioned to be at leastpartially received within groove 312. Another alternate arrangement isshown in FIG. 8 in which jounce bumper 284 includes an annular recess orgroove 314 that extends axially into the jounce bumper from along basesurface portion 298. In such an arrangement, biasing element 304 is atleast partially received within groove 314 such that the biasing elementis radially captured between within jounce bumper 284. Yet anotheralternate arrangement is shown in FIG. 9 in which jounce bumper 284includes an annular projection or rim 316 that extends axially outwardlybeyond base surface portion 298 to form a recess or cavity 318 alongproximal end 292 of the jounce bumper. In such an arrangement, biasingelement 304 can be at least partially received within cavity 318 suchthat annular projection 316 is disposed radially outward of the jouncebumper.

It will be appreciated that the one or more biasing elements shown anddescribed in connection with any of the foregoing embodiments can be ofany suitable type, kind and/or construction. Non-limiting examples ofsuitable biasing elements can include one or more wave springs, one ormore conical disk springs, one or more coil springs and/or one or morepolymeric spring bodies, such as may be formed from an elastomericmaterial (e.g., closed cell foam), for example. The one or more biasingelements will each have a spring rate and, in a preferred arrangement,can have a solid height in a fully compressed condition. In some cases,the one or more biasing elements can deflect radially inward and/oroutward, such as is represented in FIG. 5 by dashed lines DFL, forexample. In some cases, two or more biasing elements can be operativelyarranged in series with one another, such as is represented in FIG. 4 bydashed line SBE. In other cases, the two or more biasing elements can beoperatively arranged in parallel with one another, such as isrepresented in FIGS. 7 and 8 by dashed lines PBE. In either of suchconfigurations, the two or more biasing elements can, in some cases,have a common spring rate. Alternately, the two or more biasing elementscan have differing stiffnesses or spring rates, such as may be useful toprovide desired load-deflection performance characteristics, forexample.

As used herein with reference to certain features, elements, componentsand/or structures, numerical ordinals (e.g., first, second, third,fourth, etc.) may be used to denote different singles of a plurality orotherwise identify certain features, elements, components and/orstructures, and do not imply any order or sequence unless specificallydefined by the claim language. Additionally, the terms “transverse,” andthe like, are to be broadly interpreted. As such, the terms“transverse,” and the like, can include a wide range of relative angularorientations that include, but are not limited to, an approximatelyperpendicular angular orientation.

Furthermore, the phrase “flowed-material joint” and the like are to beinterpreted to include any joint or connection in which a liquid orotherwise flowable material (e.g., a melted metal or combination ofmelted metals) is deposited or otherwise presented between adjacentcomponent parts and operative to form a fixed and substantiallyfluid-tight connection therebetween. Examples of processes that can beused to form such a flowed-material joint include, without limitation,welding processes, brazing processes and soldering processes. In suchcases, one or more metal materials and/or alloys can be used to formsuch a flowed-material joint, in addition to any material from thecomponent parts themselves. Another example of a process that can beused to form a flowed-material joint includes applying, depositing orotherwise presenting an adhesive between adjacent component parts thatis operative to form a fixed and substantially fluid-tight connectiontherebetween. In such case, it will be appreciated that any suitableadhesive material or combination of materials can be used, such asone-part and/or two-part epoxies, for example.

Further still, terms such as “gas,” “pneumatic” and “fluid” as well asvariants thereof, are used herein to broadly refer to and include anygaseous or vaporous fluid. Most commonly, air is used as the workingmedium of gas spring devices, such as those described herein, as well assuspension systems and other components thereof. However, it will beunderstood that any suitable gaseous fluid could alternately be used.

It will be recognized that numerous different features and/or componentsare presented in the embodiments shown and described herein, and that noone embodiment is specifically shown and described as including all suchfeatures and components. However, it is to be understood that thesubject matter of the present disclosure is intended to encompass anyand all combinations of the different features and components that areshown and described herein, and, without limitation, that any suitablearrangement of features and components, in any combination, can be used.Thus it is to be distinctly understood claims directed to any suchcombination of features and/or components, whether or not specificallyembodied herein and whether or not initially presented in herein, areintended to find support in the present disclosure.

Thus, while the subject matter of the present disclosure has beendescribed with reference to the foregoing embodiments and considerableemphasis has been placed herein on the structures and structuralinterrelationships between the component parts of the embodimentsdisclosed, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be made andthat many changes can be made in the embodiments illustrated anddescribed without departing from the principles hereof. Obviously,modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading andunderstanding the preceding detailed description. Accordingly, it is tobe distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative of the subject matter of the presentdisclosure and not as a limitation. As such, it is intended that thesubject matter of the present disclosure be construed as including allsuch modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scopeof the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.

1. A jounce bumper assembly dimensioned for securement on or along anassociated end member for an associated gas spring assembly, said jouncebumper assembly comprising: a bumper mount dimensioned for securement tothe associated end member; a jounce bumper supported on said bumpermount for axial displacement therealong; and, a biasing element disposedperipherally about said bumper mount and positioned axially between saidjounce bumper and the associated end member, said biasing element havinga fully-compressed, solid height that is operative to maintain saidjounce bumper assembly in axially-spaced relation to the associated endmember under a full jounce load condition.
 2. A jounce bumper assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said biasing element includes one of awave spring, a conical disk spring, a coil spring and a polymeric springbody.
 3. A jounce bumper assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidbiasing element is one of a plurality of biasing elements.
 4. A jouncebumper assembly according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of biasingelements are operatively arranged in series with one another.
 5. Ajounce bumper assembly according to claim 3, wherein said plurality ofbiasing elements are operatively arranged in parallel with one another.6. A jounce bumper assembly according to claim 3, wherein two or more ofsaid plurality of biasing elements have an approximately common springrate.
 7. A jounce bumper assembly according to claim 3, wherein a firstone of said plurality of biasing elements has a first spring rate and asecond one of said plurality of biasing elements has a second springrate that is different from said first spring rate.
 8. A gas springassembly comprising: a flexible spring member having a longitudinal axisand including a flexible wall extending peripherally about saidlongitudinal axis, said flexible spring member extending longitudinallybetween opposing first and second ends and at least partially defining aspring chamber therebetween; a first end member secured across saidfirst end of said flexible spring member such that a substantiallyfluid-tight seal is formed therebetween; a second end member securedacross said second end of said flexible spring member such that asubstantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween; and, a jouncebumper assembly disposed within said spring chamber and secured to oneof said first and second end members and dimensioned to abuttinglyengage the other of said first and second end members during use of saidgas spring assembly under jounce load conditions, said jounce bumperassembly including: a bumper mount dimensioned for securement to saidone of said first and second end members; a jounce bumper supported onsaid bumper mount for axial displacement therealong; and, a biasingelement disposed peripherally about said bumper mount and positionedaxially between said jounce bumper and said one of said first and secondend members, said biasing element having a fully-compressed, solidheight that is operative to maintain said jounce bumper assembly inaxially-spaced relation to said one of said first and second end membersunder a full jounce load condition.
 9. A gas spring assembly accordingto claim 8, wherein said bumper mount extends axially between a proximalend and a distal end toward which said jounce bumper is urged by saidbiasing element, and said bumper mount includes a bumper retainingfeature disposed therealong between said proximal and distal ends.
 10. Agas spring assembly according to claim 9, wherein said jounce bumperincludes an outer side wall portion, an inner side wall portion disposedradially inward of said outer side wall portion and at least partiallydefining a passage into said jounce bumper, an end surface oriented infacing relation to said one of said first and second end members, and aplurality of retaining projections extending radially inward into saidpassage from along said inner side wall portion, said plurality ofretaining projections operatively engaging said bumper retaining featureto limit axial displacement of said jounce bumper along said bumpermount in a first direction moving away from said one of said first andsecond end members.
 11. A gas spring assembly according to claim 10,wherein said bumper mount has an outer cross-sectional dimension, andsaid bumper retaining feature extends radially into said bumper mountsuch that said bumper retaining feature has a retaining featurecross-sectional dimension that is less than said outer cross-sectionaldimension of said bumper mount, and said plurality of retainingprojections extend into said bumper retaining feature and engage saidbumper mount in a first radially-biased condition.
 12. A gas springassembly according to claim 11, wherein said bumper retaining featurehas a length that is at least 75 percent of said retaining featurecross-sectional dimension such that said jounce bumper is displaceabletoward said one of said first and second end members while retainingsaid plurality of retaining projections in approximately said firstradially-biased condition.
 13. A gas spring assembly according to claim12, wherein said bumper retaining feature has a length that is at least125 percent of said retaining feature cross-sectional dimension.
 14. Agas spring assembly according to claim 10, wherein said jounce bumperincludes a recess formed thereinto from along said end surface with aportion of said biasing element extending into said recess.
 15. A gasspring assembly according to claim 14, wherein said recess is at leastpartially formed along said outer side wall portion of said jouncebumper.
 16. A gas spring assembly according to claim 14, wherein saidrecess is at least partially formed along said inner side wall portionof said jounce bumper.
 17. A gas spring assembly according to claim 8,wherein said biasing element is one of a plurality of biasing elementswith said plurality of biasing elements operatively arranged in serieswith one another.
 18. A gas spring assembly according to claim 8,wherein said biasing element is one of a plurality of biasing elementswith said plurality of biasing elements operatively arranged in parallelwith one another.
 19. A suspension system comprising: a pressurized gassystem including a pressurized gas source and a control device; and, atleast one gas spring assembly according to claim 8 disposed in fluidcommunication with said pressurized gas source through said controldevice such that pressurized gas can be selectively transferred into andout of said spring chamber of said at least one gas spring assembly. 20.A gas spring assembly comprising: a flexible spring member having alongitudinal axis and including a flexible wall extending peripherallyabout said longitudinal axis, said flexible spring member extendinglongitudinally between opposing first and second ends and at leastpartially defining a spring chamber therebetween; a first end membersecured across said first end of said flexible spring member such that asubstantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween; a second endmember secured across said second end of said flexible spring membersuch that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween; and,a jounce bumper assembly disposed within said spring chamber and securedto one of said first and second end members and dimensioned toabuttingly engage the other of said first and second end members duringuse of said gas spring assembly under jounce load conditions, saidjounce bumper assembly including: a bumper mount secured to said one ofsaid first and second end members, said bumper mount extending axiallybetween a proximal end and a distal end and having an outercross-sectional dimension, said bumper mount including a bumperretaining feature disposed therealong between said proximal and distalends, said bumper retaining feature extending radially into said bumpermount such that said bumper retaining feature has a retaining featurecross-sectional dimension that is less than said outer cross-sectionaldimension of said bumper mount with said bumper retaining feature havinga length that is at least 75 percent of said retaining featurecross-sectional dimension; a jounce bumper supported on said bumpermount for axial displacement therealong, said jounce bumper including anouter side wall portion, an inner side wall portion disposed radiallyinward of said outer side wall portion and at least partially defining apassage into said jounce bumper, an end surface oriented in facingrelation to said one of said first and second end members, and aplurality of retaining projections extending radially inward into saidpassage from along said inner side wall portion with said plurality ofretaining projections extending into said bumper retaining feature andoperatively engaging said bumper mount in a first radially-biasedcondition such that said jounce bumper is displaceable toward said oneof said first and second end members while said plurality of retainingprojections remain in approximately said first radially-biased conditionduring displacement along said length of said bumper retaining feature;and, a biasing element disposed peripherally about said bumper mount andpositioned axially between said jounce bumper and said one of said firstand second end members, said biasing element having a fully-compressed,solid height that is operative to maintain said jounce bumper assemblyin axially-spaced relation to said one of said first and second endmembers under a full jounce load condition.